Awards 

Award Descriptions

• MSNA Hero Award: Recognizes an individual that goes above and beyond each day at their job. This award is for individuals and they must be nominated by any staff member within the school district. Self-nominations are not accepted. The nominated member must be a SNA/MSNA member and a school nutrition employee. Directors are not eligible for this award. Multiple candidates may be nominated from each district.
• MSNA Hero Site Award: Showcases EXCELLENCE in Teamwork, Creativity and Customer Service. Going the “Extra Mile” is a part of the team’s goals to bring their best service to the forefront. Any team of two or more may apply for this award. They must be a member of SNA/MSNA and must be employed by a school nutrition program. Application must originate and be submitted by the kitchen team.

Meet Your 2023 Award Winners

Deb Vera, Head Cook for Columbia Heights High School in Columbia Heights School District, has been named Minnesota Manager of the Year. The award recognizes the dedication, ingenuity and compassion shown by SNA members who have excelled in keeping students fed during the pandemic.

Deb Vera has worked in school nutrition for nearly three decades and is passionate about providing all students access to meals. Vera works tirelessly to provide all students with high-quality meals during the school year and summer. She is always willing to test out or develop new recipes to achieve the nutrition department’s goal of improved food quality and freshness of meals. For example, Vera took the initiative to make ranch dressing from scratch instead of purchasing pre-made dressing and the students raved about the change to her homemade dressing.

Vera goes above and beyond with the department's special events catering jobs, ensuring that they exceed customers' expectations. She handles ordering, menu and set-up and enjoys being able to deliver requests while meeting budget limitations.

“We value Deb Vera as a member of our school nutrition team. She provides stability at a time when our industry has seen numerous challenges and staff shortages,” said Pam Haupt, SNS, Food Service Coordinator for Columbia Heights Public Schools.

“Deb Vera is passionate about providing delicious and nutritious meals to the children of her school district. Her attention to detail and extra efforts benefit her program and students,” said MSNA President Cheryl Pick.

Vera is an active member of MSNA and served as the secretary of her local chapter, Crosstown Chapter 13. She often volunteers at the MSNA Annual Conference and encourages her team to attend state and national SNA conferences to network and keep up on school meal trends. Vera encourages nutrition team members to be at least Level 1 SNA Certified as a baseline for success in a K-12 position.

Vera was recognized on May 5, 2023, as part of national School Lunch Hero Day. She will also be honored in August when MSNA members meet for their Annual Conference in Saint Cloud.

Mackenzie Herbst, Kitchen Assistant for Foley High School in Foley Public Schools ISD #51

Mackenzie Herbst, Kitchen Assistant for Foley High School in Foley Public Schools I.S.D. #51, has been named Minnesota Employee of the Year. The award recognizes the valuable contribution of school nutrition employees, ones who exhibit a remarkable commitment to both their school meal program and the students they serve.

Mackenzie Herbst’s dedication to her job is apparent in many ways, starting with the way she greets students and school staff first thing in the morning for breakfast. She enjoys visiting with the students and asking them how things are going. Students know they can come to Herbst with their special diet concerns or questions for the nutrition department.

When a co-worker is out, Herbst is willing to step in. She has been trained in other positions and sees the opportunity to help out as a chance to grow professionally. Herbst’s professionalism has been recognized by school district administrators.

Herbst also helps with nutrition department catering, getting things put together for events while making sure menu items are properly made. Team members can depend on her to get a task done and know it will be done correctly.

“Mackenzie Herbst is always willing to help out when asked, whether to assist when someone is out or lend a helping hand at MSNA Annual Conference. She has the ability to explain things that are very understandable and helpful to new employees,” said SNA President Cheryl Pick, Director of Foodservice at Foley Public Schools.

This is the second year Mackenzie Herbst has been recognized for her job performance; in 2022 she was recognized with MSNA’s Hero Award.

Herbst is an active member of MSNA and currently serves as the secretary of her local MSNA chapter. Herbst attends the Annual Conference and enjoys bringing new ideas she gains through the education sessions back to her co-workers. Herbst also continues her professional development by taking online training courses.

Herbst was recognized on May 5, 2023, as part of the national School Lunch Hero Day. She will also be honored in August when MSNA members meet for their Annual Conference in Saint Cloud.

MSNA Award Winners

Natalie Sagdalen, nutrition services manager for White Bear Lake Area High School - North Campus, in the White Bear Lake Area School District, was named the 2023 MSNA Hero Award Winner. The award recognizes an individual that goes above and beyond each day at their job.

Natalie Sagdalen has been working in White Bear Lake Area Schools (WBLAS) Nutrition Services for 29 years and treats her staff like family. She takes the time to listen and inquire about any thoughts or concerns they have. Sagdalen trains and coaches new employees to encourage them to make school nutrition a career. She has also created jobs for several student groups. She was able to hire one student as a permanent employee and guided him to become an integral part of the team. He is now finishing his second year as a contracted Nutrition Services employee.

The school district is in the middle of a large construction project combining two high schools into one campus of more than 3,000 students. WBLAHS-North Campus, where Sagdalen is the manager, has been greatly impacted by the work. Sagdalen has guided her team through the challenges, including random power outages and chemical floods in the storeroom, as well as meetings with the district, architects and consultants. The nutrition team is working out of a culinary arts classroom using donated equipment. Instead of complaining, Sagdalen has led the team with creative ways to serve more than 700 lunches and hundreds of breakfasts a day.

While dealing with the construction, the existing salad bar morphed into providing soup, salad and sandwich options. While the change was supposed to be temporary, Sagdalen listened to students and staff who enjoyed the change. She went to upper management and made the case for making the changes permanent, resulting in an increase in meal participation. The district is now looking to offer the soup, salad and sandwich bar option at all secondary locations in the next school year.

“Natalie Sagdalen is held in high regard for her ability to make decisions that positively reflect the values of her school and community. The district’s North Campus and students are well served by her daily commitment to excellence,” said MSNA President Cheryl Pick.

Natalie Sagdalen was presented the award on May 3 2023, as part of the national School Lunch Hero Day. She will also be honored in August when MSNA members meet for their Annual Conference in Saint Cloud.

About the MSNA Awards

*MSNA award nominations will be available in 2024

• MSNA Hero Award: Recognizes an individual that goes above and beyond each day at their job. This award is for individuals and they must be nominated by any staff member within the school district. Self-nominations are not accepted. The nominated member must be a SNA/MSNA member and a school nutrition employee. Directors are not eligible for this award. Multiple candidates may be nominated from each district.
• MSNA Hero Site Award: Showcases EXCELLENCE in Teamwork, Creativity and Customer Service. Going the “Extra Mile” is a part of the team’s goals to bring their best service to the forefront. Any team of two or more may apply for this award. They must be a member of SNA/MSNA and must be employed by a school nutrition program. Application must originate and be submitted by the kitchen team.

About the SNA Awards